The
Zingiberales order is made up of eight families of mostly tropical plants
that are commonly grown as ornamentals. Many also have culinary and
medicinal uses. Specific characteristics which distinguish the
Zingiberales from other plants include large leaves with parallel venation
and often long petioles, and inflorescences composed of colorful bracts.
The following families make up the Zingiberales order:

Cannaceae (cannas) - With one genus (Canna)
and about 50 species.

Costaceae (costus) - Includes four genera and
over 150 species. The largest genus is Costus, with over 100
species. Other genera include Tapeinochilos, with about 20
species, Dimerocostus (two species) and Monocostus (one
species).

Heliconiaceae (heliconias) - With one genus (Heliconia)
and between 200 and 250 species.

Lowiaceae (orchidantha) - With one genus (Orchidantha)
and five to eight species.

Marantaceae (prayer plants) - Includes 30
genera and between 450 and 500 species.